BASEBALL: Waynesboro enters season loaded with experience

WAYNESBORO — At first glance, there's a lot to like about the Waynesboro varsity baseball team this spring.

Unlike recent years, the Indians enter the upcoming season with a wealth of returning experience, losing just one starter to graduation while boasting a roster comprised solely of upperclassmen, including seven seniors and nine juniors.

Coming off a 10-10 campaign in 2012, which ended in the preliminary round of the District 3-AAAA playoffs, Waynesboro's minimal turnover coincides directly with heightened expectations, especially considering the talent already in place.

"We have a lot of returning players," Tribe head coach Greg Chandler said. "We were young the past two seasons and we hope that the learning curve is over. We have pretty much our entire lineup back with 12 guys that started and contributed at some point last season."

Headlining the lengthy list of familiar veterans is standout second baseman Cole Warrenfeltz, who has already signed on to continue his baseball career at Eastern Kentucky University next year.

As a junior, Warrenfeltz led the team with a .345 batting average and broke the school record with seven triples. His versatility earned him a selection to the Mid-Penn Colonial Division First Team, joining teammates Ben Weber and Alex Cline, both of whom are also back for the 2013 season.

Weber returns as a reliable first baseman and a big bat in the top-half of the order while Cline will serve as a sure-handed infielder when not taking his turn in what should be a very impressive pitching rotation.

Now a senior, Dylan Bryan is expected to act as Waynesboro's ace, with the commanding lefty capable of emerging as one of the league's premiere pitchers. John Barr will also see significant innings on the mound as a starter, giving the Indians three proven arms on any given afternoon.

The likes of Clay Eberhardt, Andrew Ebersole, Seth Hoffman and Austin Bryan are also presumed to be in the pitching mix, providing depth at a critical position.

Behind the plate, Tim Ingram is back to handle the catching duties while Brandon Yurek, Justin Freeman, Brandon Carbaugh, James Bennett and Eberhardt will all be called upon to anchor the outfield throughout the season.

"Our players have worked very hard in the preseason and I'm proud of their dedication and commitment," said Chandler, now in his 26th year as head coach. "I don't think we will be a very easy victory for our opponents."

Keep in mind, this is largely the same cast of players that made up last summer's American Legion Post 15 team, which finished 22-6 overall.

The Indians open the season on Friday at home against Chambersburg. Game time is set for 4 p.m.